Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students have the right to exercise their full rights as citizens without interference or fear of college disciplinary action.

Lewis-Clark State College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and to providing an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community.  Such an environment is necessary to maintain a healthy learning, working, and living atmosphere because discrimination undermines human dignity, mutual respect, and the positive connection among all people at our college.  LC State will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex/gender (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran status, and/or genetic information.  Additionally, LC State will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against any member of the LC State community, and will take appropriate action against a student or college employee who are found to have engaged in discriminatory or retaliatory conduct.

Incidents of alleged discrimination committed by any member of the college community will be investigated by the Office of the Title IX Coordinator.  Incidents involving a student respondent will be adjudicated under the provision of the Student Code of Conduct (Vice President for Student Affairs), and incidents involving a college employee will be adjudicated under the appropriate provisions for staff and faculty.

Sexual Harassment is a form of discrimination and encompasses unwelcome verbal, physical, written, or online conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual assault.  Additionally, sexual harassment encompasses gender-based harassment which is harassment of a non-sexual nature that occurs because of an individual’s sex and/or gender.  Gender-based harassment includes harassment based on an individual’s non-conformity to sex and/or gender stereotypes. Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, can involve persons of the same or opposite sex.  Consistent with the law, this policy prohibits two types of sexual harassment:

• Hostile Environment (Policies and Procedures Manual – Policy 3.110):

Sexual harassment creates a hostile environment when it is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive and has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with, denying, or limited employment opportunities or the ability to participate in or benefit from any College education, social, and/or residential program.

• Quid Pro Quo (this for that)

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when employment or academic decision resulting in a significant change in status are based on an employee or student’s submission to, or rejection, of unwelcome verbal or physical sexual conduct.  Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Requiring sexual favor in exchange for hiring, a promotion, a raise or a grade.
2. Changing work or academic assignments because an employee or a student refuses invitations for a date or other private, social meeting.

Students have the right to be free from unlawful racial harassment on college property and off college property during a college-related activity.  Lewis-Clark State College will not tolerate racial harassment.   Incidents of alleged racial harassment committed by one LC State student toward another fall under the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct (Vice President for Student Affairs). Incidents which involve alleged racial harassment of a student by a member of the College staff fall under the jurisdiction of the Campus Affirmative Action Officer (Human Resources).  See definition of ‘Harassment’ under Student Code of Conduct.

Students have the responsibility for selecting a major field of study, for choosing an appropriate degree program within the discipline, for planning class schedules, and ultimately for meeting the requirements for his/her degree.  The college will provide advisors to assist students in academic planning, but students are responsible for obtaining copies of appropriate academic bulletins and being thoroughly familiar with all academic requirements which must be met for a degree. Students also have the responsibility to take advantage of the educational opportunities presented by the college, to participate in the learning process in a serious and conscientious manner, and to respect the rights of other members of the college community.

Students have the right to have college classes conducted under the following provisions:

• Faculty will clearly state course outcomes/goals, assignments/testing, and grading which should be in alignment with the course intention (or purpose) and academic level.
• Faculty will plan and regulate class time with an awareness of its value for every student.
• Faculty will be available to students and will announce and maintain regular office hours.
• Faculty will strive to generate respect and understanding for academic freedom by students.
• Faculty will strive to create an environment in which students may raise relevant issues, doubts, or alternative opinions during classroom discussion without concern for academic sanctions.
• Faculty will be sensitive to students personal or political beliefs expressed in a private manner in connection with course-work.
• Faculty will protect student information, such as grades and class standing in accordance with FERPA.

Students have the right to a clear statement of their basic rights, responsibilities and Student Code of Conduct.  They have the right to assist in formulating college policy by representation on various college committees.  Students also have the right to be represented by a student government.  Other student rights and responsibilities outside the classroom include:

• Students may form, join, and participate in groups which promote the common intellectual, religious, social, economic, political, recreational or cultural life of campus. The college believes group activities to be a positive educational vehicle and recognizes the right of student groups to discuss, express opinions, to assemble, write, and publish within state and federal constitutional guarantees and laws.
• A student group may be authorized to use college facilities if its officers and a majority of its members are currently enrolled at Lewis-Clark State College.
• Students and student groups are free to engage in peaceful and orderly protests and demonstrations which do not disrupt functions of the college, subject to reasonable assumptions concerning time, place, and manner.  In all cases the educational purpose and process of the college must not be disrupted by protests and demonstrations.
• Students who publish student publications under college auspices have the right to be free from unlawful censorship. However, students who publish such documents must observe the recognized canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the techniques of harassment and innuendo. Student editors and managers may not be removed because of general faculty, administrative, student or public disapproval.  They may be suspended or removed from their positions for proper cause by the committee responsible for their appointment.
• Students who publish student publications which are not sponsored or financially supported by the College may distribute the publications to students on college property subject to reasonable assumptions concerning time, place, and manner of distribution.
• Students have the right to access educational records maintained by the college.  The students may review their own records and challenge the accuracy of the records.   Educational records are maintained on a confidential basis.  Only those college employees with a legitimate need to know have access to student educational records.  For further information see the full policy on student records at www.lcsc.edu/policies policy 1.117.